Herkimer County

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

The Census reports on the level of education attained by adults
age 25 and older. Our elderly population grew up in a time when education attainment was typically lower, and college attendance was less widespread. As this population is succeeded by younger and increasingly well-educated cohorts, the percent of the population that has attained higher levels of education slowly increases. Not only has the number of diplomas and degrees increased, but their percentage in the population has also increased, indicating a growth in attainment greater than the relative growth in national population.

Educational Attainment in Population 25 Years and Over, 1990-2000

1990

2000

Number

Percent of Total

Number

Percent of Total

Total Population Age 25+

42,657

100.00%

43,455

100.00%

Less than 9th grade

3,983

9.34%

2,354

5.42%

Some high school, no diploma

7,684

18.01%

6,605

15.20%

High school graduate*

15,537

36.42%

15,391

35.42%

Some college, no degree

5,945

13.94%

7,614

17.52%

Associate degree

4,021

9.43%

4,678

10.77%

Bachelor's degree

3,493

8.19%

4,304

9.90%

Graduate or professional degree

1,994

4.67%

2,509

5.77%

* "High school graduate" includes people with the G.E.D. and similar equivalents.